Hello. I just had my DNA test done by Ancestry.com, and it pointed to Connacht/Galway. I am looking for my Great Grand Father and deeper knowledge of my Irish roots.
Family data (and hearsay) show Patrick William Finneran as the first family member to immigrate to the USA. HIs time of birth is generally given as Mar 1840 in Ireland. The DNA results show I am 87% Irish and shows Connacht/Galway as the most likely place of my Irish ancesters. Patrick married Mary Finneran (yes same family name). Possible immigration timeframe is before 1880. They had 6 children, all born in the USA, starting 1881.
I have no legal records on either Patrick or Mary's births or immigration. Nor do I have the parish name in Ireland where they were born and lived.
I haver scoured ship manifests, Ports of Entry records, etc, to no avail.
Any information on this family is greatly appreciated..
Mary Finneran
Mary Finneran Turner
Friday 23rd Nov 2018, 03:31AMMessage Board Replies
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Mary:
Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out!
Civil registration of RC marriages started in 1864 but as of now we only have the images of civl marriage records from 1870-1941 at the free site www.irishgenealogy.ie
I searched on the subscription site Roots Ireland and located an 1867 civil marriage record for a Patrick Finneran and Mary Finneran. The marriage was in the Taughmaconnell RC parish in southwest Co. Roscommon very near the Co. Galway border. Mary was from Lugboy townland in Taughmaconnell civil parish and Patrick was from Feevagh townland in Dysart civil parish whcih is next to Taughmaconnell parish. See transcription of civil marriage record below which also shows the names of the fathers of the bride and groom.
I would treat this record as a lead since this couple may not have been your ancestors. Can you find a death record or obituary for either Patrick and/or Mary.which might show the parents names.
Let me know what questions you have.
Roger McDonnell
Date of Marriage:11-Feb-1867
Parish / District:BRIDESWELL
County:Co. Roscommon
Husband PatrickFinneran Address feevagh
Wife MaryFinneranAddress:Lugboy
Husband's Father Peter Finneran
Wife's FatherName:Thomas FinneranCastlemore Roscommon, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘
Friday 23rd Nov 2018, 04:55PM -
Roger, Thank you so much for the reply and the information. Yes, this is definitely a lead. It appears that there are many instances in our Finneran family of William Patrick, Patrick and Patrick William, up to the present day.
I will keep the message board updated on what I find.
Mary Finneran
Mary Finneran Turner
Saturday 24th Nov 2018, 12:11AM